Coronavirus screenings produce airport chaos
Long lines, longer waits frustrate weary travelers Dawn Gilbertson
U.S. travelers flying back from Europe were greeted with snaking lines and hourslong waits at major airports as expanded coronavirus screenings required by the government’s new European travel restrictions took effect this weekend.
The restrictions ban Europeans from flying to the U.S. for 30 days and require U.S. travelers to be screened upon arrival at 13 U.S. airports.
Travelers at Chicago O’hare International Airport, New York JFK and Dallas-fort Worth International Airport took to social media to complain about the waits, with many worried that the logjam wasn’t helping stop the spread of the coronavirus.
College student Brandon Mach, who was flying back Saturday from Madrid, said he waited more than four hours to clear U.S customs and go through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention screening at O’hare. Mach, a Michigan resident, said he landed at 4 p.m. and didn’t leave until nearly 9 p.m., until his temperature was checked and he was asked a few questions.
“What better way to ‘avoid large gatherings,’ ” he tweeted.
Mach, 20, said he had to go through customs twice, a second time after he told officials he was returning from Spain, where his semester abroad was cut short. The country went on lockdown Saturday as the result of a surge in coronavirus cases.
“That was by far one of the craziest things I’ve seen at an airport,” he said, noting that the medical screening was actually the quickest part.
By Sunday afternoon, the situation seemed to improve at O’hare, with many travelers reporting waits of less than 30 minutes. Houston resident Jennifer Barber said it took 25 minutes to clear customs from the time she landed in Chicago. “No lines or anything,” she said. “It was really efficient.”
Barber, who flew in from the Czech Republic via London, said her temperature was taken several times and she was asked to wear a mask because she had a “little cough.”
President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday that the government is “moving as quickly as possible” but said it’s “very important that we be vigilant and careful.” He called the airport medical screenings “very precise.”
Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of customs, said in a statement Sunday on Twitter that the long lines were unacceptable but he stopped short of saying they would disappear.
“With this national emergency, there will be unfortunately be times of disruption and increased processing time for travelers,” Morgan said. “CBP is working around the clock to minimize these inconveniences.”
Beginning early Tuesday, passengers on flights from England and Ireland will join the lines for enhanced screening upon arrival.
Contributing: Nancy Armour, Jori Epstein, Nicquel Terry Ellis and Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY